A report from the Executive Director – Place is attached. (Key decision – reference number 4795)

(Report No.167)

(8.10 – 8.15 pm)

Councillor Guney Dogan (Cabinet Member for Environment) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Place (No.167) seeking approval to the Enfield Rural Catchment Project as outlined in the report.

NOTED

1.            That it was proposed to use natural flood management measures to reduce flood risk in the Salmons Brook catchment. A feasibility study would also be carried out to investigate the additional benefits and costs associated with creating a significant amount of publicly accessible woodland in rural areas of Enfield.

2.            That the project had been awarded £303k funding by the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and the Environment Agency. Additional external funding would be sought and used to expand the scope of the project where bids were successful.

3.            Members praised the excellent work which was being undertaken and commended the officers involved, particularly Ian Russell. The work being undertaken in Enfield was a beacon to other Local Authorities.

4.            The public health benefits of the project. In this regard, Officers were asked to give consideration to the future possibilities of “forest bathing” and “woodland burials”.

Alternative Options Considered: Do nothing. This scheme is part of a series of improvements to reduce the risk of flooding in the Salmons Brook catchment. To do nothing would lose an opportunity to attract significant funding to the London Borough of Enfield, improve the environment, for both people and wildlife, and reduce flood risk to local residents and infrastructure. Furthermore, it would mean the loss of an opportunity to comply with one of the actions identified in the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to

1.            Approve the works to deliver the Salmons Brook Natural Flood Management project.

2.            Note the proposal to sue grants to fund a feasibility study to investigate the benefits and costs of creating up to 100 hectares of woodland in rural areas of Enfield with associated access improvements.

3.            Delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Environment to approve delivery of the Woodland Creation scheme based on the findings of the feasibility study in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property and Assets.

4.            Delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Operational Services to authorise the placing of orders through any of the Council’s existing relevant term contracts or to invite and evaluate tenders/quotations and, where suitable tenders/quotations were received, to authorise the award of contracts for the works in compliance with the Council’s procurement rules.

Reason: Improved flood protection through the creation of Natural Flood Management features which would reduce the risk of flooding to properties downstream. The detailed reasons for the recommendations were set out in section 5 of the report.

(Key decision – reference number 4795)